THE WHITE HOUSE

President Names Christopher J. Queram
to the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection
and Quality in the Health Care Industry

The President today announced the appointment of Christopher J. Queram to the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry.

Christopher J. Queram of Madison, Wisconsin, has been the Chief Executive Officer of Employer Health Care Alliance Cooperative (The Alliance) since 1993. In his capacity as CEO, Mr. Queram is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and operating performance of a health care purchasing cooperative owned by over 100 member companies and serving over 75,000 employees and dependents in Wisconsin. Major functions of The Alliance include provider contracting, data management and reporting, consumer education, employer/provider quality initiatives, and public policy/legislative advocacy. Mr. Queram was previously the Vice President of Programs from 1988-1993 and the Vice President of Support Services from 1986-1988 at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He served as the Vice President of Administration of the Methodist Hospital from 1983-1986. From 1980-1983, he was the Assistant Vice President of Administration at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Queram received an M.A. in Health Sciences and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

The Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry was created by Executive Order. The purpose of the Commission is to advise the President on how unprecedented changes in the health care delivery system are affecting quality, consumer protection, and the availability of needed services. Through a series of public meetings, it will collect and evaluate information and develop recommendations on improving quality in the health care system. The Commission is co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor.

The Commission has broad-based representation from consumers, businesses, labor, health care providers, insures, and quality and financing experts. The Commission members have expertise on a range of health issues including the unique challenges facing rural and urban communities, children, women, older Americans, minorities, people with disabilities, mental illness, and AIDS, as well as issues regarding privacy rights and ethics.